R22 Information

As of the new year, the Refrigerant R22 will phase out and no longer be manufactured. There will only be a few vendors that have stock left and will be available to sell it. However, due to the rule of supply and demand, this product’s price will dramatically rise for homeowners who can get their hands on it. R22 is the freon used for older units but has now been restricted due to its believed effects to the ozone layer of the earth. This freon is now of the past and as it phases out, it will be replaced by 410A. 410A will be loaded in all new equipment as the new industry standard. It allows the compressor to reach new and better pressure rates which means for an all around better efficiency level. It is also believed to be better for the environment than the previous industry standard. This change is government regulated and when all stock of R22 is gone, it will no longer be sold. Snow Bear Heat & Air is prepared for this end! Call us today to discuss your next step and how you want to deal with this change for your AC or Heating System. We recommend getting your freon levels checked once a year for each major season: Winter and Summer. Let us help you make the transition without the headache of a damaged unit or high priced freon. This phase out will go into effect January 1st so start planning!

Changing freons can be a difficult process. In order to switch them, the first freon must be completely cleaned out prior to the new one being put in. If this is not done correctly, all metering devices can become plagued with slug and gunk that will damage your unit. Each refrigerant has different ingredients and oil and do not mix well. The replacement refrigerants for R22 are NU22, MO99 and 407C. These refrigerants are less expensive and less difficult than trying to get R22 after the phase out but your system will still need to be cleaned out before any changes are made. Please keep in mind that if a change is done incorrectly it can cause many costly repairs after already paying cost for freon. We can answer any questions, clean your system and make the change for you! Our $7 service fee covers diagnosis for first time customers! We want to help get you over the curve so you can get back to being comfortable! Let us do the hard work so you don’t have to.

410A cannot replace, be mixed with or be replaced by any of the above mentioned freons. 410A is a completely new type of refrigerant that was made for compressors that can handle a larger workload. It is put into newer systems that can handle the efficiency is causes for a very long time. Older models are not built to deal with the PSI numbers that 410A produces. Putting it in an older unit will cause the need for further repairs as it works on equipment that is not able to withstand the pressures that go along with it. R22 will still be available until all sources are sold out. The replacement refrigerants will work with those units as well as long as a change out is done prior. These freons consist of mineral oil or synthetic oil that does not allow them to mix without causing issues. Save yourself the trouble and set up an appointment with us, the most highly reviewed AC/heater repair service in Amarillo, to get it set up for you today! We know these changes do not sound major and they are not. However, if changed wrong, it can be expensive to repair or replace.

Snow Bear Heat & Air also wants you to be comfortable for a very long time. These systems are major purchases and are investments in your homes. Relying on R22 will only last for so long. The product will only be on the market until it is sold out. R22 will not come back after the phase out. You can change to the replacement refrigerants which are less expensive than the original, before you ultimately add the price of the clean out. However, if you were still using R22, then your unit is likely to be an older model, that may need new repairs soon or has already had costly fixes done before. It may actually be running for a short time after paying for repairs, paying the clean out fees and paying for the new freon. All these expenses can be targeted to investing into a completely new system. A system with better efficiency, that doesn’t need repairs and will be compatible with the new type of freon that is the least expensive out of all the options available. Buying new equipment will save you plenty of money in the coming future and keep you from dealing with the headache that is the R22 Phase Out.

R22 will no longer be manufactured after the new year which means the time to purchase it is very limited. If you do purchase it, its likely to be very expensive and only a temporary fix. You can use the replacement refrigerants, but those too will eventually be a temporary fix as they only work on older units, that may or may not need repairs or replacement soon. Buying new equipment is the best way to ensure your comfort is long lasting and readily available. You have plenty of options to choose to go with during this transition period. Here at Snow Bear Heat & Air, we are ready to discuss any questions you may have about the phase out in Amarillo, what your specific unit may need, or how we can get you set up with a new system soon! Call us today to set up an appointment for just a $7 service for first time customers! We will be glad to go over all options with you again so we can choose the option that best suits you.